WHEP, the Wetland Health Evaluation Program, monitors macroinvertebrates (i.e. water insects) vegetation to gauge wetland health. The Apple Valley team will monitor 5 wetlands in 2019. No experience necessary; training is provided.
Do you like science and the outdoors? We've got the volunteer opportunity just for you. The Wetland Health Evaluation Program, or WHEP, monitors wetlands in Dakota County. Volunteers monitor macroinvertebrates (e.g. dragonfly larva, snails, crayfish) and vegetation in four wetlands in Apple Valley and one wetland in a neighboring community. The information gathered is used to determine wetland health. Each wetland is given a score so that natural resource managers can easily compare health in chosen wetlands from year to year and against each other. The time commitment is about 30 hours a summer, and training is provided. Most time will be spent in the wetland, but some time is spent in the lab identifying macroinvertebrates. Give it a try. We think you'll like it.